Chapter 28

The girl stood beneath the steps, her gaze resting on the distant mountain scenery. Water droplets clung to her long, fluttering eyelashes, and fine mist dripped from the ends of her hair.

The crisp air, laden with the fragrance of earth, grass, and trees, carried a faint chill that stimulated her skin. It was not cold at all; instead, it felt exceptionally comforting.

In just a brief moment, her tangled and chaotic mind achieved profound peace, and the pent-up melancholy accumulated from days spent confined in the hospital dissipated significantly.

Hearing Jin Yuchuan’s voice, Ye Chunxi turned her head, lifted her gaze to look at the elderly man before her, and called out somewhat timidly, "Butler Kong."

Butler Kong gently appraised her, and upon hearing this address, a warm and kind smile bloomed across his face.

"Miss Ye."

Jin Yuchuan glanced inside twice, but aside from a few servants who had come over to help carry things, he saw no other figures.

"Where is Ling Qiao?" he asked.

Butler Kong responded respectfully, "Young Master Ling went out early this morning and has not returned yet. Would you like me to make a call and have him come back?"

Jin Yuchuan did not reply. He turned his head toward Ye Chunxi and said, "You go back to your room with Butler Kong first; I still have some matters to attend to."

Ye Chunxi nodded obediently.

Butler Kong turned sideways and gestured, "Miss Ye, please."

In the center of the garden lay a large artificial lake, with a trestle bridge spanning the narrower section.

He led Ye Chunxi across it and arrived in front of a building on the opposite bank.

It was a three-story Chinese-style small building, with three sweeping, vigorous characters inscribed on the plaque—Near-Water Pavilion.

Stepping inside, the antique architecture was paired with modern technology without the slightest sense of incongruity.

Butler Kong stopped right by the door, maintaining a respectful distance.

"Miss Ye, everything here has been arranged for you according to the young master's instructions. The books brought from the hospital have been placed in the study on the second floor. You can settle in first and get familiar with the surroundings."

He took out his smartphone and said, "This is my number. If you need anything, just come directly to me."

Ye Chunxi added his contact, and after bidding farewell, the elderly man departed.

Within the spacious small building, servants moved about frequently. Her unhurried back appeared exceptionally solitary.

A crisp tinkling sound caught her ear, and Ye Chunxi looked up. On the extended outdoor platform, the eaves sheltered her from the rain, and a string of vintage wind chimes hung suspended.

Potted plants served as a railing, enclosing this tiny realm.

In the sheltered spot sat a rattan chair, and on the table beside it, a complete set of tea utensils was neatly arranged.

Such an ambiance was genuinely yearning.

Ye Chunxi collected her thoughts, went upstairs, and found her bedroom under the guidance of a servant.

Located on the third floor, it was the only room on that entire level. The space was vast, expansive, and very quiet.

She had very few belongings. After tidying up simply, she went back downstairs and sat down on the rattan chair.

A few thick books lay on the small table, and she began turning the pages with serene contentment.

The rain had eased, turning into fine, light threads without the sound of pattering drops.

The distant mountain forests were veiled in a light mist, growing all the more tranquil.

On the opposite bank.

Inside the towering building, Jin Yuchuan stood on the balcony looking down, catching sight of the young girl's solitary and serene figure.

He watched quietly while Qingya stood faithfully behind him to report.

"The other party is highly skilled and has already obtained all relevant materials regarding Bai Lan's medical condition. Because we secured the family's information in advance, they do not know yet."

He paused, glancing at Jin Yuchuan's back with a hint of lingering doubt.

Forcing himself to set it aside for the moment, he continued, "Using the cameras near the hospital, we conducted facial recognition on those two individuals. After comparing regional information and their operational techniques, we have confirmed several suspects."

Qingya stepped forward and handed over the tablet in his hand for inspection.

Jin Yuchuan slowly turned his gaze sideways; every man in the information files appeared powerfully built.

He frowned, "What about the other person?"

Qingya pressed his lips together, "The facial data was inaccurate. We did select a few targets initially, but upon closer inspection, we found that one person's social identity profile was incomplete."

"Incomplete?" Jin Yuchuan asked with a frown.

"Yes," Qingya nodded. "Investigation revealed that that person's identity was extremely vague, containing only general information without a detailed social trajectory, as if... it had been preset in advance."

"Therefore, I suspect this person's identity is forged."

As a fellow hacker, Qingya knew just how difficult that was to achieve.

"There are fewer than ten people in the entire world capable of doing this. Most of China's top hackers have been recruited by us, which leaves only one person—X."

"Interesting." The corners of Jin Yuchuan's lips curled upward as he looked downward with deep intrigue. Where his gaze fell, Ye Chunxi was leisurely turning the pages of a book.

At such a tender age, her attainments in traditional Chinese medicine were nothing short of miraculous, revered as a supreme treasure by the Medical Alliance.

Furthermore, she had a rather profound connection with X, the universally acknowledged top hacker in the world.

Those dark pupils of his were unfathomable, and his aggressive gaze was entirely filled with appreciation and a desire to possess her.

The young girl he had accidentally "picked up" was even more astonishing than he had imagined.

Heat rose into the air, somewhat out of place in this humid season.

Ye Chunxi did not mind much.

Accustomed to nutritional meals, the bland flavors had almost tamed her taste buds, and she desperately wanted something bold and savory.

Watching the broth rolling and boiling in the pot, Ling Qiao couldn't help but sigh, "Usually, Lord Jin would never tolerate this kind of thing here. I didn't expect him to arrange it the moment you asked."

Ye Chunxi had just opened a can of iced cola, her lowered eyelashes touched by the moisture.

Hearing this, she furrowed her brow slightly, turned her head, and asked in confusion, "Does big brother not eat hot pot?"

"Him?" Ling Qiao let out a laugh, "He is not someone who knows how to enjoy life; he's satisfied just having something to eat. Besides, hot pot has too strong a smell, and he hates getting the odor on his clothes. In short, I've never seen him eat hot pot."

Ye Chunxi was momentarily stunned, suddenly regretting her suggestion of having hot pot.

Looking up, she unexpectedly spotted Jin Yuchuan walking over from a distance.

Amidst the hazy mist, he approached slowly, holding a twenty-four-rib bamboo umbrella.

Water droplets failed to invade his person, merely lingering gently around him.

The vast, misty expanse blurred his deep, sharp brows and eyes, hazy and dreamlike, giving off an unreal sense of beauty.

It only served to accentuate his ethereal temperament, making him appear increasingly otherworldly.

Jin Yuchuan had caught the rich scent of hot pot from afar and frowned slightly.

Seeing him, Butler Kong was quite surprised and immediately stepped forward.

"Young Master."

Walking into the pavilion, Butler Kong took the bamboo umbrella from Jin Yuchuan's hand and placed it properly to one side.

Ye Chunxi stood up rather nervously, "Big brother."

Ling Qiao looked over as well and waved at Jin Yuchuan, "Lord Jin, come over and have some hot pot."

Jin Yuchuan walked over and glanced at the copper hot pot on the table.

The scent was too overpowering, making it difficult for him to adapt at once.

Ling Qiao patted the stool, "Why are you just standing there? Come over and sit down. Your sister asked for this after all, aren't you planning to try it?"

Ye Chunxi pressed her lips tightly together and asked cautiously, "Big brother, do you not like eating this?"